hangover

American  

[hang-oh-ver] / ˈhæŋˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. the disagreeable physical aftereffects of drunkenness, such as a headache or stomach disorder, usually felt several hours after cessation of drinking.

   Synonyms:

   nausea, qualm, sickishness, queasiness

2. something remaining behind from a former period or state of affairs.

3. any aftermath of or lingering effect from a distressing experience.

   the post-Watergate hangover in Washington.

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hangover British  

/ ˈhæŋˌəʊvə /

noun

1. the delayed aftereffects of drinking too much alcohol in a relatively short period of time, characterized by headache and sometimes nausea and dizziness

2. a person or thing left over from or influenced by a past age

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Etymology

Origin of hangover

1890–95, noun use of verb phrase hang over

Example Sentences

The hangover from a rough loss has been compounded by a series of missed opportunities to make it right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

In these tough times, some discount chains have been thriving, but California’s Grocery Outlet has been closing stores as it tries to remedy a hangover of overexpansion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

"It feels like you're in a club, you're getting all the songs, you're all dancing, you've got the club vibes but without the hangover the next day."

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Whether it's been age profile, a creaking scrum, a sputtering attack, the unsettled fly-half situation or a British and Irish Lions hangover, most of the discussion has been largely negative.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

You could say they were a sort of hangover from those talks in our dorm after lights out.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• aftereffect
• headache